On December 3, 2023, State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co., Ltd. Yangzhou Power Supply Branch ("State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company" for short), released a video themed "A Young Employee of State Grid Tells a Story of Developing a Green, Modern, Digital and Smart Supply Chain" during side-event of the 28^th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) on "Green Empowerment: Building a Green, Clean and Resilient Future With Youth". The company called on everyone to "vigorously promote emissions and carbon reduction, and actively participate in global climate change governance." This is the second participation of State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company in the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change ("COP Conference" for short). In 2022, the company participated in COP27 as one of the initiators of the "Birds Protection and Climate Action Initiative of Chinese Youth". This year, State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company presented the achievements of the "Bird's Guardian Grid" public welfare project and the accomplishments in building a green supply chain at COP28.

A Young Employee of State Grid Shares the Story of Green Development Journey Together with the Power Grid

On December 3, at the side-event of COP28 on "Green Empowerment: Building a Green, Clean and Resilient Future With Youth", Yao Xiang, a young employee of State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company, recounted the green development journey of State Grid in his hometown, Yangzhou. He stated, "In July of this year, in my hometown of Yangzhou, Jiangsu, the first transmission phase shifter in China was completed and put into operation. It has improved local capacity for on-site consumption of new energy, equivalent to providing clean energy for an additional 20,000 households for a year."

Yao Xiang provided a detailed explanation through a video regarding the specific processes and methods through which this transmission phase shifter provides clean energy. This included considerations for energy-saving consumption, raw material usage, carbon footprint certification at the project's design stage, as well as the establishment of technical standards for phase shifter equipment and the compilation of technical audit standards. He further explained that in the procurement phase, they implemented the evaluation of a green supply index for phase shifter suppliers in supplier performance assessments according to local government's green supplier selection standards. In the construction phase, the company emphasized promoting the green and low-carbon distribution of the project, and implemented green storage for phase shifter projects and other electrical materials. Simultaneously, the company actively engaged with local environmental protection departments, integrating the disposal of relevant waste materials from the phase shifter project and establishing a temporary storage warehouse for hazardous waste. Through a series of practical actions, the company has integrated the energy and power industry chain to create an ecological circle, which could maximize the strategic responsiveness and ecological leadership of the energy and power industry chain, and further contribute the wisdom and strength of State Grid Corporation of China to green and sustainable development.

State Grid Persists in Safeguarding the "Bird's Guardian Grid"

As a longstanding participant in COP conferences, State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company, building upon its involvement in "Birds Protection and Climate Action Initiative of Chinese Youth" ("the Initiative" for short) at COP27, once again collaborated with the Youth Environmentally Friendly Actions Committee of All-China Environment Federation (ACEF-YEFAC). Together, they attended the "Press conference on ecological civilization and climate change" official meeting of COP28. On the occasion of the Initiative's one-year anniversary, State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company presented a compilation video at COP28 with the theme of "Together for a Shared Home and a Better World," telling the stories of safeguarding the Oriental White Stork. In the video, five young employees from different positions within the State Grid Corporation of China shared compelling stories about their interactions with the Oriental White Stork. From COP27 to COP28, these stories included an international student traveling to Yangzhou to participate in bird protection work, employees altering the construction sequence of towers to protect nestlings, the "State Grid parents" personally installing artificial bird nests, and a young team nurturing an Oriental White Stork as the "spokesperson" for "protection of transmission lines and care for birds" initiative, whose name is Yang Xiaoguan. Through these five sets of stories, State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company expressed its unwavering determination to protect birds.

At the same time, the video also introduced the "Bird's Guardian Grid" public welfare project, a long-term biodiversity conservation initiative undertaken by State Grid. Based on the "protection of transmission lines and care for birds" initiative, the company focuses on four aspects: public welfare cooperation, bird rescue, technical research, and public education. In implementing the public welfare project, the company grounds its efforts in local conditions, and establishes "service stations," "refueling stations," and rescue stations for birds along their migratory routes. Besides, it utilizes public welfare alliances to vigorously promote the concept of protecting transmission lines and loving birds. The series of stories released by State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company on protecting the Oriental White Stork is one of the excellent outcomes of the "Bird's Guardian Grid" project. This project not only effectively safeguards the rare Oriental White Stork but also demonstrates the company's social responsibility and practical actions in ecological conservation. Moreover, it reflects State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company's deep understanding and practice of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Du Juan, the deputy editor-in-chief of China Sustainability Tribune, also commented on the “Bird's Guardian Grid” public welfare project, “In Gaoyou, the number of Oriental White Storks has grown exponentially over the years, from a mere handful to now over 200 - a wonderful sight to behold. The State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co., Ltd. has developed innovative solutions enabling transmission lines and birds to co-exist in harmony. It is hoped that this initiative will garner more support from the public to protect transmission lines and care for birds.”

State Grid, Representing China's Energy Industry, Demonstrates Environmental Commitment

In addition to the two aforementioned conferences, State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company also participated in the buffet themed "Nature's Voice" on December 6, organized by China Green Carbon Foundation and All-China Environment Federation (ACEF). Collaborating with ACEF, the company continued to showcase its achievements in green development and biodiversity conservation through video presentations at the conference booth. This highlights the active role of Chinese power grid enterprises in promoting green transformation of the supply chain, spanning from product design, raw material procurement, and manufacturing to logistics, transportation, and product recycling. At every stage, a commitment to achieving environmentally friendly and green development is evident, demonstrating China's determination and actions in addressing climate change, protecting the ecological environment, and promoting harmonious development between humans and nature.

The series of achievements presented by State Grid Yangzhou Power Supply Company at COP28 provides valuable experience and insights for global enterprises, showcasing China's strength and potential in sustainable development to the world.